The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-03-16

a Spectacle which Few People Have Ever
Seen ON This Side ofthe water.


That everything that is worth seeing
can be seen In New York, Is not q truism
but 1t Is true that there are many things
that are worth observing that are not
generally seen. w
But limited number OF persons are
aware that there are two rooms In one
of the Japanese manufacturing and
trading companies that truly represent
miniature house, and which are
finished. furnished and decorated in the
true Japanese style.
The house is the work OF q first-class
mechanic of Toxic. An ascent OF five
steps brings one to the outer door, which
Is OF hardwood and sliding, as indeed are
all the Japanese doors, which move with.
out a creak or jar.
This door leads to the reception or
tea" room. The ceiling IL con-
etructed OF woven bamboo varlegated.
smoked and natural; Along the hard.
wood wainscotting there is o border OF
lacquered wood and the walls are
covered with papering gold spatterwork Of
a soft, artistic tone. ,s.s
There Is nothing nailed 60 the floor,
but under the feet Is mating which
feels unusually soft and springy. This
mating Is laid on cushion or bed of
straw about six inches thick, and In
closed In cloth and corresponding 10
width to the mating.
The size of a Japanese apartment is
never given In feet or inches. but is
eaid to bea room of go many mattings.
and mating Is generally understood TO
represent q space OF three by ten feet.
The window In the~reception-r0om is
made of rice paper instead Of glass. and
gives just as much light as though con-
structed OF the latter material. although
1t 10 OF q softer tone. In Japan It Is
customary for only the richest class
to have rice-paper windows In their
dwellings.
This room contains sideboard upon
which there are water bottles and tea
caddles, while underneath there Is a set
OF lacquer ware for rice and othor soft
food, and porcelain ware Tor meat md
fsh.
IL tks oeszs-s - - I. uAsassf fhassf. nsga.
q bronze flre-box containing = bed Of
ashes OF fern leaves. When It Is desired
to have fire some charcoal Is placed
on those ashes and kindled In tho open
air, and after the smoke escapes II Is
returned to the room and throws out o
good heat
Between the tea-room and the parlor
ore manipulated silk-front sliding doors.
which can be opened from either Side.
The ceiling and wnlnsootting OF the par
tor are ofvarious hard woods. the walls
and floors being covered similar TO those
or the reception-room. .sss
Here. OF course, 10 found an incense
burner and bronze smoking sets. But
few ornaments are visible. On opening
O cupboard, however, In ono corner OF
the room, various curios are found.
This IL the prevailing custom In Japan.
and the mistress OF the house changes
the ornaments from time to time, put
ting those not In use In the cupboard.
On state occasions, however, she dis
plays her entire collection. 4
About she house are scattered num-
Der of small windows with panel OF
fret work, with bamboo shades. There
are not any chairs In the house, their
place being supplied by cushions.
In one part Of the parlof There is q
raised platform which Is kept Tor dis
tingulshed guests, and the host is sup
posed to kneel before Il to serve
them. H.
Tho woodwork and interior finish are
very simple, the doors and window
frames are without mouldings. and
there are no mantel carvings. Repeated
dustings and rubbings have given to the
natural wood polished surface and q
mellow tint
The beautiful lacquer work. formerly
30 extensively manufactured by this
skilful people, and which could DO pro-
cured at so trihing q cost, Is now bec0m-
ing rare; In fact, so valuable has this
old lacquer work become, that many
pieces OF 1t have been returned from
Paris, New York and other art centres
to Japan to be sold. IN. X. Mail end
Express.